Bobby Schuller steps into grandfather's shoes

Bobby Schuller says he feels close to God when he's out in nature. He likes to go for an early morning walk at Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange to meditate and pray. He said of his ministry work: &#8220;I'm calling people to lead meaningful lives and to leave a mark for when they leave.&#8221;MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

BOBBY SCHULLER

•Guest teaching pastor at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove and its "Hour of Power" television show and teaching pastor at the Tree of Life Community church in Orange.

•Age: 31

•Lives in Orange with his wife, Hannah, and two young children, Haven and Cohen.

•Holds a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary (2008) and a bachelor's degree in business from Oral Roberts University (2003).

•His credits on a TV Guide website feature a one-season stint as a judge on a TV show series, "The Messengers," in which people competed to be an inspirational public speaker.

•Speaks Greek and Hebrew and conversational Spanish, is trained as a classical pianist and brews his own beer.

•Pastor for the Netherlands' "Hour of Power" television program in 2010-11. Earlier this year, the Netherlands released a stamp bearing his photo.

It happened at the beginning of each school year. Same question. Same surprise.

"Robert Schuller? Any relation?" the teachers would ask.

Yes, Bobby would explain: "He's my grandpa."

Eventually, he was asked the other question – by seemingly everyone. "Do you plan to follow in your grandfather's footsteps?"

As a little boy, his answer was a resounding yes. This was the kindergartner who drew a self-portrait donning his famous grandfather's minister robes and big glasses. Then, as he grew a little older, the answer was "don't know." And as a rebellious teen, a definite no.

But along the way, Bobby Schuller discovered that he found fulfillment in helping others. He developed a relationship with God. And he felt a calling to minister to others.

Today, Schuller's image is on the large marquee outside the Crystal Cathedral his grandfather founded decades ago. He is the guest teaching pastor who preaches the early Sunday morning service that is telecast across the world through the "Hour of Power" television show. And he is the last Schuller left preaching in the church that declared bankruptcy and was sold this year to the Catholic Diocese of Orange.

"I love the Lord. I think it's great to carry out my grandpa's legacy. I'm so happy doing what I'm doing," says the younger Schuller, also a teaching pastor at the Tree of Life Community church in Orange.

Officially, Schuller is a volunteer pastor – as is Lawrence Wilkes, the interim senior pastor. Unofficially, Schuller's presence and involvement has increased considerably since he was first asked to help out and give a sermon earlier this spring following the sudden departure of his aunt, Senior Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman.

Now, he's involved in meetings about the future of the cathedral. His image is prominent on Crystal Cathedral literature. And he has an office next to John Charles, the cathedral's president and chief executive officer.

By next summer, the church will be forced to move from its iconic campus in Garden Grove. And Schuller is expected to make the move with the congregation.

Eventually, the 31-year-old Schuller may take over as senior pastor, Charles said recently.

Schuller said he hopes to have that opportunity.

"It has to be decided by the congregation and the board," he said.

"My hope is to do both," he said, referring to his own church, the Tree of Life.

Bobby Schuller says he feels close to God when he's out in nature. He likes to go for an early morning walk at Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange to meditate and pray. He said of his ministry work: “I'm calling people to lead meaningful lives and to leave a mark for when they leave.” MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
In 2010, Bobby Schuller was asked to serve as the "Hour of Power" pastor in the Netherlands. For two years, he flew to that country to tape sermons there while his aunt, Sheila Schuller Coleman, presented her sermons in Garden Grove. The Netherland's branch is the church's largest international office, Schuller said. Earlier this year, the Netherlands issued this stamp featuring Schuller's photo. COURTESY OF BOBBY SCHULLER
As the sun rises at Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange, the sky is an inspirational backdrop for Bobby Schuller who often goes there to reflect and meditate. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller sports a more casual look at his own church, Tree of Life Community in Orange, which contrasts to his formal suit-and-tie look at the Crystal Cathedral, where he is the Sunday guest teaching pastor and his services are taped for the "Hour of Power" show. At the Tree of Life, congregant Joel Nava, 29, said he joined Schuller's Tree of Life church because it is a "radically different" church. "The ministry and the things that Bobby said were like a breath of fresh air for me. I felt I was ministered to in a way that no other church ministered to me," said the Anaheim resident. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller gets a hug after recent Sunday services at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove where the "Hour of Power" show is taped for an international audience. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller prepares for a Sunday morning service at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. His grandfather, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller started the ministry but resigned from its board earlier this year and later filed claims in U.S. bankruptcy court that pitted him against the church he created. Schuller says he is aware his name is not welcomed by some congregants. "There are some people in the congregation who are sensitive about me being a Schuller," he said. "At first, it was a a little scary to a lot of people. 'Oh, great.' (But) I think people trust me a lot more now. I know there is a lot of trust that has to be earned. I can understand why some people are hesitant about me being there." MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller rests on a bench at Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange where he likes to go to for early morning walks to meditate and pray. Schuller said he is receiving positive feedback from international congregants to his Sunday sermons televised during the "Hour of Power" show. At the Crystal Cathedral, he was recently greeted by Canadian congregants as he was walking toward the cathedral to get ready for his sermon. “Bobby! I came all the way from Toronto to meet you. Can I hug you? ... Oh, my God. I'm in heaven now. This is my 65th birthday present from my husband,” Karen Swackhammer told him. Schuller has been a volunteer teaching pastor at the cathedral since last spring, when the church found itself without a senior pastor in the midst of bankruptcy and turmoil. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller watches the sun rise over Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange. A volunteer pastor at the troubled Crystal CathedraI in Garden Grove, Schuller said: "I do think the future is so bright at the cathedral and the 'Hour of Power.' " The ministry is paying off its bills, and the feedback from around the world for the "Hour of Power" television program has been positive, he said. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Portrait of Bobby Schuller at Peters Canyon Regional Park, where he goes to reflect and meditate. His grandfather, the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, also turned to nature and had a favorite spot at the beach where he would meditate before preparing a sermon. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller, center, prays with staff and a guest of his "Hour of Power" show before heading on stage to give a sermon at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Interim senior pastor Lawrence Wilkes, far right, leads the prayer. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Bobby Schuller walks a sunlit trail at Peters Canyon Regional Park as the sun rises. He likes to hike there to meditate and pray. Schuller is the guest teaching pastor at the Crystal Cathedral. He also is the teaching pastor at the Tree of Life Community church in Orange. "He's a big draw at the church. I expect some day he will be a very well-known and respected pastor," said Rick Blake, 65, a Fullerton resident and Tree of Life congregant. "He has solid knowledge of the Bible. He preaches directly from the Bible in a way that is clearly understood and practical." MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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